dealer said vibe is normal? now what?

[BNewman]

I've followed the vibe threads for a while, they tell me its normal. No TSB's or posted fixes, they say there is nothing they can do. Is there a solution to their inability to fix the truck they think is normal?

 

[crobertson1]

They're full of it IMO. The vibe, any vibe, is NOT normal. There are plenty of trucks around that don't have a vibration. Can you tell us more about your vibration?

 

[WStoops]

I've followed the vibe threads for a while, they tell me its normal. No TSB's or posted fixes, nothing they can do. Is there a solution to their ignorance?

Any knowledgeable dealers in the southern NJ area I can go to?

That's what the DC representative said last week at my Lemon Law hearing. The engineer for the state and the Arbitration Board unanimously disagreed. They were ordered to buy it back. Tell them you are going to LL it. If they are like my dealer, they'll say "go ahead". I did. Ask the dealer if the brochure for your truck stated that they vibrate, and if that is the case, why didn't the salesman tell you that before he took your money? They Lie.

 

[Matt400]

dealer said vibe is normal? now what?

Not normal- Find new dealer.

 

[NDanecker]

I've followed the vibe threads for a while, they tell me its normal. No TSB's or posted fixes, nothing they can do. Is there a solution to their ignorance?
Any knowledgeable dealers in the southern NJ area I can go to?

I haven't done this yes, but I've read people suggesting to take out a new truck for a spin to see if it vibrates. If they all do that, and its normal, then the new one should vibrate to, right!

Some dealers just su**! Don't feel bad. It seems I can't find any respectable dealers either!

Good Luck!

 

[RankRam]

With this kind of dealer logic, my vibe free truck is abnormal.



This is a classic case of a lazy dealer.

 

[BNewman]

My vibration is the typical 70 mph @ 2000rpm pulsing drone vibration you've all read about by WStoops. They bought his back.

 

[jungledave]

I haven't done this yes, but I've read people suggesting to take out a new truck for a spin to see if it vibrates. If they all do that, and its normal, then the new one should vibrate to, right!



Some dealers just su**! Don't feel bad. It seems I can't find any respectable dealers either!



Good Luck!

Be careful about taking another truck out. I drove a demo and it had the same problem wich really put me in a bad spot with the dealer. I did manage to convince the dealer of the problems with both trucks. My 04 was bought back June 1st. , 2004.

 

[ERohloff]

Vibe develop over time?

Got a 3500, 4x4, AT ordered. Will check for the vibe when it comes in. Question I have IS if it has no vibe, I'll take it BUT what's the chance this DC driveline vibe will develop with time? No vibe when new but develops after a few thousand miles... ... OR what if it has a slight vibe? Do you take the truck? Anybody seen a case where a sl vibe has gotten worse with time?

Input????

bob r...

 

[WStoops]

Got a 3500, 4x4, AT ordered. Will check for the vibe when it comes in. Question I have IS if it has no vibe, I'll take it BUT what's the chance this DC driveline vibe will develop with time? No vibe when new but develops after a few thousand miles... ... OR what if it has a slight vibe? Do you take the truck? Anybody seen a case where a sl vibe has gotten worse with time?

Input????

bob r...

BobR, I HOPE you wouldn't accept a brand new vehicle that has a problem right out of the box. I think I have done as much research on this topic as anyone here and have talked to dozens with the vibes/droning/launch shudder. As far as I can determine it is present right away, doesn't get worse with time, unless the dealer screws with it, and definitely does not go away on its own. I know it would be a real disappointment to wait all this time and then not accept it when it comes in. An consumer, educated in this subject, is DC's worst nightmare. As this problem becomes more widely known, what do you think it will do to your resale or trade-in value? Particularly if they fix the 06's and not the 03,04,05's? I have driven 2 trucks without any symptoms, smooth, no vibes, drone or shudder. Maybe they are the exception, who knows??

 

[crobertson1]

I guess I was real lucky in that, mine had the vibration but it was fixed the first time I took it in for the problem. The tech re-balanced the front driveshaft and also re-balanced the tires for good measure. Problem solved-smooth as silk now. At the same time mine was in, the same tech, had another one, with the vibe he was working on that was giving him fits.



I definitely would NOT take delivery until the truck is fixed. I made the mistake of not driving mine fast enough when I bought it. Like I said, I got lucky.



BTW, a friend of mine just bought an '05 Ecscursion with a Powerstroke and he's fighting a vibration. We're not alone.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

I just went thru this with my dealer he also told me that this was normal? Then he told me it was a problem with the 2 piece driveshaft in my truck and that the short bed trucks haven't had this problem. He looked real stupid when I printed a thread from TDR stating different! I quit, truck is for sale.

 

[Briman]

My '03 had the vibe and it was evident almost immediately. I got a buy back after ten months and over 30K miles. I was charged for 700 miles on the buy back (the miles on the truck when I first complained).



The vibe was bad in the beginning and only got worse after the dealer tried to fix it.



I took my replacement (buy back replacement) truck for a fast 80 mile drive before I would accept it. After 45K it has not developed the vibration that my '03 had.



I think that everyone should take their new truck for a fast 75 mile drive before signing the papers. This may seem condricictory to the normal break in proedures but will save you tons of grief in the end.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

ith this kind of dealer logic, my vibe free truck is abnormal.

:-laf



I agree, think we have a vibe-free lemon law class action potential started



I think Briman is got the right idea. Keep it for a day and test drive that pup.

 

[BHolm]

There are good ones out there. I have three of them, two in the shorter wheelbase ond one QC long box, none of them have the described vibe.



I would definately not accept the "normal" excuse, that is the oldest dealer trick in the book. Unfortunately calm discussion rarely gets them to do something. Become forceful and very insistant. Persue the lemon law if you have to, get a new truck if they can't fix it. That is about the only way to send the right message to DC (or any manufacturer). Selling on your own doesn't hurt them much, forcing a buyback/replacement is definately the stronger response from the consumer.

 

[midlife crisis]

Hello Newman. . ( sorry. . had to do that). So what dealer in Joisey is giving you the runaround? If you feel uncomfortable with a name- give me a town or other hint.

 

[FCecelin]

apparently some can be fixed and some can't. . wouldn't hurt to try ,at least it's on record then. . Mine was fixed (04. 5) by removing rear and then front driveshafts and rotating them and reinstall ing .

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

There are good ones out there. I have three of them, two in the shorter wheelbase ond one QC long box, none of them have the described vibe.



I would definately not accept the "normal" excuse, that is the oldest dealer trick in the book. Unfortunately calm discussion rarely gets them to do something. Become forceful and very insistant. Persue the lemon law if you have to, get a new truck if they can't fix it. That is about the only way to send the right message to DC (or any manufacturer). Selling on your own doesn't hurt them much, forcing a buyback/replacement is definately the stronger response from the consumer.

I don't think you can LL one if you bought it from the service Mgr used, can you? mine had 16k on it when I bought it.

 

[LFalconer]

Vibes - There is a TSB / SB on it

All, I have been following TDR forum for sometime as a non-member. The level of discussions on this forum are far and away more technical / information than most other diesel truck forums!



Anyway - I have followed WStoops saga - sorry about your truck. Mine had similar vibe 68 to 72, buzz in steering wheel - an at 6000 miles I took it in. The dealer in Leesburg VA is excellent, and called DC Zone rep that day - no work was done. 10 days later the zone rep came and drove and verified vibe. He recommend to the dealer to use a just released Service Bulletin [ I did not get the number yet] that entails raising/ lowering the transfer case to change rear pinion angle.



After 2-3 attempts, the vibe in the 68-72 range is reduced / gone. I can't tell the difference from 50 mph to about 73 or so. What I do notice is that at 74 to about 77 there is a bit of "strumming" like a beat frequency recurring every 1 second or so. Especially noticeable when pulling 5000 lbs up 7% grade at WOT.



This was 1 week ago - so far the vibe has not recurred in the 68-72 range.



Next time the zone rep is in town, I have an appointment for him to ride with me and observe the 74-77 mph issue.



But all in all, Leesburg C/D has been an excellent dealer and these guys understand this problem, and want to help fix it. They did buy one truck back for same.



Luke



04. 5 - 2500 4x4 LWB, QC, 4:10, 6Speed, Cummins 600, stock tires, wheels no additions other than G/N hitch and step bars.